Joy - My Word for 2023

It's already 2023. Goodness. We are living in the future.

I've been reflecting on the past year, as one does come new year.

Honestly, 2022 had a lot of suckiness. I dealt with a lot of personal stuff that felt crippling at times. And honestly... a lot of it is still there. Which kind of sucks going into a new year. Sometimes it's hard to see the bright side of things. But the word God has been impressing upon my heart again and again since June is "joy." The irony. Joy is my name.

The other day I was reflecting on this word. Why joy? I also realized that the last six months have been some of my hardest. Maybe God was reminding me that having joy isn't reliant upon my situation.

Just a few months ago, a friend told me, "Joy is knowing you're secure in His hands when everything is going haywire."

Maybe this is the message God was trying to get across to me. Things may be haywire. I may cry more than I wish I did. But I can still find joy in Christ because He's still with me and He will never forsake me. 

This year I want to focus more on God and less on my problems. To remember I can still find joy in the trials. To remember my situation doesn't determine how big my God is.

Cabin Nights Quilt Along

I recently joined a quilt along to make a quilt for my Gramma for Christmas. I made a quilt for my Grampa too--an Irish chain quilt in LSU colors--that came together very quickly. This one is more time consuming but I'm SOOO excited about making it! My mom helped me put together a bundle of fabric and I love it so much. Here are some photos of the last few weeks. I still need to finish this week's assignment, so I'm gonna remove a kitten from my dining table (kitten foster parent probs), put away my lunch dishes, and go sew! 

Thrift Haul #2

I've only done one of these "thrift haul" posts but honestly I don't thrift a lot anymore. Or shop much anymore. There's not really anything I need, and I'd rather put my money towards sewing supplies. But I do still get a thrill from thrifting, and the other day I hit up a church garage sale that a friend told me about and I got two incredible pieces.

This ceramic Christmas tree was the first amazing piece I saw. I have a vintage ceramic Christmas tree that was made my my great aunt many years ago, and I pull it out every Christmas. A few years ago, I noticed that these were making a comeback, and now you can buy them new at Walmart for about $60. Although a vintage one can run you a pretty penny. I found one on Etsy for over $300.

This one is a vintage one AND it's handmade--it has the maker's name and date etched into the base. And... AND... it was only $5. FIVE DOLLARS. Since I already have one and had no need for another, I send a text to the besties group chat and asked if anyone wanted it. Sarah did so I picked it up for her. This is a stunning piece and I know she will cherish it. 

Next up I found this adorable picnic basket. Now I have a picnic basket that was my mom's and it's older than me, but it's a very different style and I thought this one was so quaint. It came complete with cutlery, two crystal champagne glasses (which we used for sparking grape juice), a cutting board, and a beautiful vintage tablecloth and napkins (not pictured--I hadn't washed them yet when we went on our picnic). And how much was it? Three dollars.

Life Lately (Kitten Version)

The life of kitten foster parents. So many of my photos are kittens. Those photos should not just remain on my phone. 

Fall Feels

It is supposedly fall but Louisiana did not get the memo. The weather app says it is 82 and feels like 85 but I think that's a lie. It feels way hotter outside. The cats are mad at me because I refuse to open the window--they LOVE sitting in the windowsill--but it's just too hot. 

I thought it would be cute and fun to do a post where I share my photos that feel like fall. But... I only have like 5. Because it does not feel like fall. 

Still, I've had a soup on the menu every week for the past month. Tonight I'm making homemade chicken noodle soup. Next week is chili. Casey says that it's supposed to get down to 40 next week. We shall see.

Anyways, here's my fall photos. Maybe it will finally feel like fall in December. Except we'll be in Singapore in December and its summer year-round there. Guess I won't pack away my sandals.

We love to make a seasonal bucket list! We had a date night at a local coffee shop and made our fall list.

First day of fall tradition: build a scarecrow! We were sweating.

These things can be found at Walmart and I'm obsessed.

The reality of the scarecrow. The cats decapitate Christian Bale daily. 

Just finished some Pumpkin Spice Cookies today!

I started making this pinafore two years ago and was soooo excited about it. But I wasn't feeling it as I worked on it. Pulled it back out again this year, decided I like it, and hemmed it. 

A varieTEA of photos

 Nope, I'm not done making tea puns, apparently. But here are some photos of tea being enjoyed.

I'm a Little Tea Cup

My favorite restaurant is The English Tea Room. It feels fancy, but comfortable. Every reservation is for two hours, and it’s delightful to sit and enjoy the experience without feeling rushed. They have over 260 varieties of teas (varieTEAS?) and, though I’ve been many times, I’ve only sampled a portion of their menu.

At your table you will find a tea cup and teaspoon at each seat and a bowl of white and brown sugar cubes in the center of the table with a tiny, delicate pair of tongs. Your server will ask which tea you want and offer suggestions (which is a relief, because 260 teas is a lot to choose from). Once you’ve decided, they will make your tea and bring it to you piping hot in a small teapot that holds about three tea cups-worth of your selection of tea, along with your choice of milk or cream (I always choose cream).

Every time, it’s a beautiful moment when you pour your tea from your own little teapot into your dainty tea cup, add a sugar cube (or two… or three… I won’t judge) and a spot of cream, then take your first sip. Ah. This is what tea is supposed to be like.

Now I’ll be the first to admit, I can be a bit clumsy. But, oh, when I’m holding that tea cup I try to use gentle, yet strong hands so I won’t spill. I’m holding precious contents, after all. I do love my tea, and I sure don’t want to break the beautiful tea cup. I want to make sure it’s well taken care of and safe.

I, too, am a tea cup. I’m beautifully made. I’m fragile and can be broken. I need to be washed clean, especially on the inside when I get nasty. (nasTEA? Okay, I'll stop now.)

Thankfully, I’m in very capable hands. The Lord’s hands are far more sturdy and stable and dependable than my own. He loves me and He cares for me and He holds me in gentle, loving hands. It is for this reason I can trust Him. Should I fall (away from him) and be broken (by sin), my Maker picks me back up and glues me back together. Sure, you can still see the spots where I was broken, but that is just proof of my testimony. I once was in pieces, but my Savior came to my rescue and restored me.

And now I rest, in His sure hands, a dainty little teacup, with quite a few cracks He’s repaired, overflowing with His joy and Spirit.